Performative utterances create states of affairs rather than merely describing them.

Evidence

The coiner of the term “performative” was the philosopherJ. L. Austin. He admitted that it was “rather an ugly word,” but it was one that lie thought necessary to distinguish utterances that do something (performative utterances) from those that report on an already-existing state of affairs. If I say “I apologize,” or “I name this ship the Queen Elizabeth,” or “I bet you sixpence it will rain tomorrow,” then “in saying what I do, I actually perform the action” (Austin 1970, p. 235). — Donald MacKenzie, An Engine, Not a Camera, 83

Categorization

• DEFINE: The Austrian root definition of performativity, which the thesis extends from speech acts to economic models.
• XREF: Austin’s speech act theory is the philosophical root that Callon’s performativity concept stretches into markets; links to Judith Butler’s performativity usage too. — connects to: Motives of action are linguistically interpreted needs, not unconscious impulses. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 2682; A performative’s force depends on external felicity conditions, not the utterance itself; Said treated language as representation rather than as performative enactment. — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism: A Critique of…, 127 (+13 more)

Broader Connections

• Performative utterances create reality rather than admit truth-valuation #corroborates (0.88) — Jean-François Lyotard, The Postmodern Condition, 136
• A performative’s force depends on external felicity conditions, not the utterance itself #qualifies (0.82)
• Verbalism results when a word loses its action dimension #expands (0.80) — Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 257
• Communication enforces preferred meanings through performative rules, not fixed codes #corroborates (0.78) — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 802
• Said treated language as representation rather than as performative enactment. #responds-to (0.75) — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 127
• Discourse operates as a strategic field of force-relations, not mere representation #expands (0.75) — Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended, 363
• Language enables conventions rather than being constituted by them. #contradicts (0.72) — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism, 420
• Speaking requires taking a contingent position within language. #expands (0.72) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 221
• Language enables meanings rather than passively carrying them #expands (0.72)
• Discourse produces knowledge that shapes perceptions and enacts power #expands (0.72) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 687
• Power operates partly through perception rather than explicit verbal communication #expands (0.72)
• Said conflates power relations with communicative discourse #responds-to (0.72) — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 31
• Discourse establishes authority through the formation of subjects, not mere assertion #expands (0.70) — Saba Mahmood, Politics of Piety, 820